Mathew Amaechi
On Children’s Day, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, issued a powerful call to action, urging leaders across the country to make the welfare of children a national priority. Describing children as “the heartbeat of our nation and the bearer of our collective hopes and dreams,” Obi warned that Nigeria risks jeopardizing its future if it fails to invest in its youngest citizens.
In a heartfelt statement released Tuesday, Obi emphasized the immense potential Nigerian children hold and the urgent challenges they face.
“Days like this offer us the opportunity to appreciate the immense potential of our children, who represent the hope of a brighter tomorrow in our nation if only we care for them today,” he said.
Citing UNICEF’s 2023 report, Obi highlighted that Nigeria is home to more than 110 million children under the age of 18 — a figure he described as both a blessing and a national responsibility.
“Such high numbers of young people in Nigeria should challenge us, as leaders, to commit wholeheartedly to investing in the future of the children. Their future is the future of the nation,” Obi noted.
But behind the staggering figures lie grim realities. Nigeria continues to rank among countries with the highest infant mortality rates globally. A 2024 UNICEF report, referenced by Obi, paints an alarming picture: 11 million Nigerian children live in severe food poverty, and one in four under the age of five suffers from stunting caused by chronic malnutrition, particularly in underserved rural areas.
The crisis in education is equally stark. With over 18 million Nigerian children out of school, Obi described the situation as “a deep national wound.”
“Each out-of-school child represents a dream deferred, a future endangered, and a country that is failing to uphold its most sacred responsibility,” he said.
He decried the reality where children are forced to learn on the streets while schools remain underfunded, unsafe, or out of reach.
Obi also addressed the dismal state of primary healthcare, which he said is “practically non-existent” for children in many parts of the country. Beyond the lack of access to healthcare, he pointed to the growing threat of insecurity.
“Violence, kidnapping, and abuse have forced thousands of children to flee their homes, live in fear, or grow up in regions where dreams are stifled by conflict,” he said.
Drawing from a 2022 National Bureau of Statistics report, he raised alarms about child labour, noting that 46.5% of children aged 5 to 14 are involved in it — a statistic he called “heartbreaking.”
Yet, amid these sobering realities, Obi found hope in the resilience and brilliance of Nigerian children.
“Our children are talented, hardworking, and full of dreams,” he said. “Their dreams are valid and we must invest in their future, our future!”
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for a Nigeria where every child can feel secure, grow in peace, and have access to quality education and healthcare.
As Nigeria marked Children’s Day, Obi’s message was a reminder that beyond the celebration lies a responsibility — one that the nation must no longer afford to ignore.
“Environment to pursue their dreams and contribute productively to societal development.”
He emphasised the importance of building
“a nation where no child is left behind and where the child of a nobody can become somebody through hard work and productivity.”
“We will continue to fight for a Nigeria where you can dream freely, learn safely, and rise boldly. That is the country we must build, and we owe you nothing less,” Obi added.
